“Hitokiri” (人斬り / “Tenchu”), Original Japanese Re-Release Movie Poster 1985, Bold Yellow and Orange Design, B2 Size (approx. 51 × 73 cm) — ZA516

An exceptionally striking original Japanese poster for Hideo Gosha’s Hitokiri, featuring Shintaro Katsu in a dynamic composition of saturated yellow, orange, black and red. Issued for the film’s 1985 Japanese theatrical re-release, this design gives the historical drama an arrestingly modern graphic treatment.

Originally released in 1969, Hitokiri stars Katsu as Okada Izo, a swordsman drawn into political assassination during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate. With a screenplay by Shinobu Hashimoto, the film examines ambition, loyalty and the exploitation of violence by those seeking power. Its remarkable cast also includes Tatsuya Nakadai, Yujiro Ishihara and the novelist Yukio Mishima.

The poster’s impact comes from its dramatic contrast and sense of movement. A large monochrome image of Katsu, leaning forward with sword drawn, fills almost the entire sheet. His dark silhouette cuts across flat fields of brilliant yellow and orange, while a sharply tapering white diagonal slices through the composition like a blade.

Red lettering along this diagonal carries the campaign slogan:

「時代はチャンバラ。」
“It’s the age of swordplay.”

The title 人斬り — Hitokiri appears in forceful red brush lettering at the lower right, balanced by widely spaced Roman lettering across the top. A strip of colour film stills anchors the lower edge. The combination of photographic grain, geometric colour and expressive calligraphy gives the design extraordinary visual energy.

An outstanding display piece for collectors of samurai cinema, Shintaro Katsu and Japanese graphic design. The poster’s Shochiku distribution credit and Masanori Sera promotional-song credit distinguish this later theatrical campaign.

Condition: Excellent. Please refer to the photographs for the condition of this individual example. Once framed, the bold composition will display beautifully.

This is an original vintage Japanese theatrical re-release poster, not a reproduction or modern reprint.

Approximately 41 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
Stock reference: ZA516